The Welcoming’s Director, Tesfu Gessesse, reflects on the approach of the Scottish Government and local authorities to the crisis in Ukraine, and on the experiences of Ukrainians in Edinburgh.
The Welcoming offers compassionate support to over 2,000 New Scots, including over 800 Ukrainians and 100 Afghans. Without your help, our services are at risk.
The Welcoming’s Annual General Meeting 2022 is an opportunity for you to hear more about our work and get to know our team and board.
The Scottish Government has produced Welcome Packs for New Scots. The packs are currently available in five languages: English, Russian, Dari, Ukrainian and Pashto.
We are launching a new quarterly newsletter at The Welcoming! It will include updates on The Welcoming’s events, activities and political action.
We are delighted to announce that our ESOL Teachers Team and one of our befriending volunteers have won awards through the Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2022.
We are delighted to be part of Refugee Festival Scotland’s programme this year! You can view artwork created by our members at the Alternative Tracks event facilitated by Distanced Assemblage, at Edinburgh Printmakers. New Scots are also invited to our cross-cultural storytelling event to celebrate World Refugee Week 2022 together.
The Welcoming’s health and wellbeing activities for New Scots will restart this month. Our programme supports New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees and migrants) in Edinburgh to look after their physical and mental health, and feel empowered to make personal wellbeing choices.
Our Director Tesfu Gessesse was asked to write for The Concept Journal about The Welcoming’s work, his personal background, and the issues faced by refugees around the world. In his article, Tesfu reflects on the UN Security Council’s involvement (or lack of) in the current wars in Yemen, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Ukraine.
After a wonderful seven years, our Welcoming a Greener Future project came to an end on Thursday 31 March 2022. Since 2015 we have: Saved 701.5 tonnes Co2, held over 300 climate change activities, and engaged with over 2,000 people.
